Method and apparatus for forming a through-hole and running wire in a building structure

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for creating a through-hole in a building structure includes an elongated member defined by a first end and an opposite second end. The first end is defined by a penetrating point configured to form the through-hole in the building structure. The second end is defined by a receptacle device defining the second end. The receptacle device is configured to releasably retain a wire extending from the second end while the penetrating point penetrates the building structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to a method and apparatus for forming a through-hole in a building structure, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for forming a through-hole in a building structure while facilitating threading a wire through the through-hole.

In the telecommunications or electronics industry, it is common practice for a technician to route wires through partitions including walls, floors, and ceilings of a building structure, such as a home or business. Conventional practice provides several approaches that involve drilling holes through the walls, floors, and ceilings when provisioning new wiring. For example, the technician normally uses a drill with a long drill bit to penetrate both sides of the wall and then attempts to poke a wire through a pair of through-holes on either side defining the wall. If insulation is disposed intermediate opposing sides defining the wall, the technician commonly disposes a wire in a hole at one of the drill bit and pushes the drill bit through the wall and insulation to run the wire therethrough.

However, when drilling a through-hole in the wall using a drill bit, for example, there is a risk of nicking power wires, water lines, or gas lines disposed in the wall with the rotation of a sharp drill bit. Further, once a through-hole is successively drilled, several attempts are commonly required to poke the wire alone through both sides of the wall. For example, once the wire is poked through an entrance hole of the wall, the wire just curls up inside the wall when further attempting to poke the wire out of the wall through an exit hole opposite the entrance hole. Insulation within the wall exacerbates this problem, as the insulation interferes with poking the wire to the other side of the wall and obstructs the exit hole. Moreover, even when the wire is attached to the end of the drill bit for pull-through, threading and securing the wire with the drill bit may be involve timely wire preparation.

Thus, there is a need for a method and apparatus for forming a through-hole in a building structure that facilitates threading a wire through the through-hole and addresses the above described drawbacks.

SUMMARY

According to exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for forming a through-hole in walls, floors, and ceilings defining a building structure in conjunction with simultaneously routing a wire therethrough.

According to exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for positively forming a through-hole in a building structure without a drill bit and facilitating the routing of a wire therethrough.

According to one aspect, an apparatus for creating a through-hole in a building structure includes an elongated member defined by a first end and an opposite second end. The first is end is defined by a penetrating point configured to form the through-hole in the building structure. The second end is defined by a receptacle device configured to releasably retain a wire extending from the second end.

Another aspect is an apparatus for creating a through-hole in a building structure including an elongated member defined by a first end and an opposite second end; a penetrating point defining the first end and configured to form the through-hole in the building structure. The second end includes a means for releasably retaining a wire extending from the second end.

Another aspect is a method for forming a through-hole in a building structure to run a wire therethrough. The method includes manually biasing an elongated member through the building structure from a first side defining the building structure. The elongated member is defined by a first end and an opposite second end. The first end is defined by a penetrating point configured to form the through-hole in the building structure while the second end is defined by a receptacle device releasably retaining the wire extending from the second end. The elongated member is pulled from an opposite second side defining the building structure when the penetrating point penetrates the second side. The wire is released from said second end once exposed on the second side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the exemplary drawings wherein like elements are numbered alike in the several FIGURES:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a wall piercing apparatus defined by an elongated member including a penetrating point at one end and a receptacle device to releasably retain a wire therein at an opposite end according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an end view of the receptacle device of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the wall piercing apparatus of FIG. 1 having an extension member intermediate the penetrating point and receptacle device according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an assembled view of the wall piercing apparatus and extension member of FIG. 3 according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the wall piercing apparatus of FIG. 1 with one end of a wire releasably retained in the receptacle device via a sliding clamp ring slidably disposed on an exterior surface of the receptacle device according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross section view of a building structure including a pair of spaced apart gypsum boards or drywall having the wall piercing apparatus of FIG. 5 extending therethrough according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

A method and apparatus for forming a through-hole in a building structure according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention are used to facilitate running wire through a partition wall. The apparatus forms a through-hole on either side of the partition wall while threading a wire through the formed through-hole. The apparatus includes an elongated member having a first end and an opposite second end. The first end includes a penetrating point configured to penetrate both sides of the partition wall upon manual manipulation of the same while the second end is configured to releasably retain a wire extending therefrom. In this manner, a through-hole is manually formed in the partition wall while wire is simultaneously run through the formed through-hole.

Thus, the above apparatus and method allow running wire through a building structure, such as an interior partition wall, without using a drill that may nick a structure within the wall with a sharp rotating drill bit. Moreover, since the wire is releasably coupled to the second end opposite the penetrating point, attempting to thread a flimsy wire through the building structure to find an exit hole on an opposite side is eliminated.

FIG. 1 illustrates a wall piercing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 1, a wall piercing apparatus 10 includes an elongated member 12 defined by a first end 14 and an opposite second end 16. First end 14 includes a penetrating point 20 that is configured to pierce a through-hole in a building structure upon manual manipulation of elongated member 12. Second end 16 includes a receptacle device 24 that is configured to releasably retain one end of a wire (not shown) in a tapered splayed opening 26 while a remaining portion of the wire extends from second end 16.

First end 14 and second end 16 are separable and interface at joint 30. In an exemplary embodiment, first end 14 corresponding to penetrating point 20 includes female threads 32 to threadably engage male threads 34 extending from second end 16 corresponding to receptacle device 24, as best seen with reference to FIG. 3. However, it will be recognized that other means for coupling first and second ends 14, 16 other than corresponding threads 32 and 34 are contemplated. In this manner, when penetrating point 20 needs to be replaced with a sharper point after the present point 20 is dulled from use, separable point 20 can be removed and replaced to optimize penetration through a building structure and minimize the manual effort required to penetrate both sides defining the building structure.

In an exemplary embodiment as illustrated, penetrating point 20 would be fabricated of a metal to retain sharpness of the point for repeated penetrations through building structures. Alternatively, other materials may be employed, including hard plastic, for example, for limited use and lower cost. In exemplary embodiments, penetrating point is sharpened enough to penetrate the building structure material via manual effort, but not so sharp as to cause damage to structures within the building structure. For example, point 20 is not so sharp as to nick or cause damage to a gas line, water line, or power line within the building structure upon encounters with the same when point 20 penetrates through the building structure. It will be further recognized that although penetrating point has been described and illustrated as sharply tapered cone, point 20 may assume other configurations to facilitate penetration through the building structure material. For example, point 20 may be configured having a self-drill configuration such that manual turning and pushing of the elongated member 12 allows point 20 to drill through the building structure to form a through-hole as with when using a drill bit.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, receptacle device 24 defining second end 16 includes tapered splayed opening 26 defined by a pair of opposing tapering members 36 that resemble portions of a cylinder wall having a space 38 between each of facing edges 40 defining each tapering member 36. It will be noted that the tapering members 36 taper outward toward end 16 defining elongated member 12. In this manner, wire is easily accepted through opening 26 and wedges in the narrowing cavity 42 as the wire is pushed toward first end 14. Once the wire is pushed into and wedged in the narrowing cavity 42 defined by opposing tapering members 36, a sliding clamp ring 50 circumferentially surrounding the opposing tapering members 36 is translated toward second end 16 to prevent the tapering members from splaying outward and to maintain the wire in wedged engagement between the tapering members 36 (See FIG. 5).

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, tapering members 36 are defined having an interior surface 52 configured to frictionally retain an exterior surface 54 defining a wire 56. In an exemplary embodiment, interior surface 52 includes a plurality of ribs or a plurality of protrusions 60 (FIGS. 1 and 2), for example, configured to grip exterior surface 54 defining wire 56. Second end 16 optionally includes a lip 62 defining a terminal end of receptacle device 24 configured to prevent sliding clamp ring 50 from sliding off elongated member 12.

Although receptacle device 24 has been described with reference to a tapered splayed opening 26, it will be recognized by one skilled in the pertinent art that the tapered splayed opening 26 may be substituted or described as a plurality of staves, a collet, and a chuck each configured to releasably compress exterior surface 54 defining wire 56 extending therein. In each case, the receptacle device 24 is defined with an exterior surface receptive to slidable clamp ring 50. Slidable clamp ring 50 is configured to compress the second end 16 against exterior surface 54 defining wire 56 when sliding clamp ring 50.

Referring now to FIG. 3, elongated member 12 is shown in exploded view including an extension member 70 intermediate first and second ends 14 and 16, respectively. Extension member 70 is preferably a solid metal tube having threads 72 extending from one end to threadably engage threads 32 on point 20. Extension member 70 is also threaded at an opposite end to receive threads 34 of receptacle device 24 indicated in phantom at 74. Although member 70 has been described as being solid, member 70 may also be a hollow tube with threads 72 closing one end thereof. In addition, other fastening means other than threads on corresponding ends are envisioned. Furthermore, it is contemplated that point 20 and receptacle device 24 are integral with elongated member 12. However, in this situation, apparatus 10 is a fixed length wall piercing apparatus.

FIG. 4 illustrates extension member 70 assembled with point 20 and receptacle device 24. In this manner, wall piercing apparatus 10 may be extended in length to penetrate building structures having larger widths. It is also contemplated that a plurality of extension members 70 may be assembled together and disposed intermediate ends 14 and 16 to accommodate a partition wall having a corresponding width, for example.

Referring now to FIG. 6, wall piercing apparatus 10 is illustrated with wire 56 extending therefrom and extending through an entrance hole and an exit hole forming a through-hole through a building structure 100. An entrance hole 102 is first formed on a first surface 104 defining building structure 100 and exits through an exit hole 106 on an opposite second surface 108 defining building structure 100. Building structure 100 as illustrated is an interior partition wall 100 defined by a first drywall or gypsum board 112 and a second drywall or gypsum board 114 having an air space 116 therebetween. Air space 116 is defined by a width of framing lumber 120 disposed between first and second drywalls 112, 114, respectively. In one embodiment as illustrated, air gap 116 is about 3.5 inches corresponding to a width of 2×4 lumber 120. First and second surfaces 104 and 106, respectively, each have respective base board molding 122 disposed on lower portions thereof attached to lumber 120 using finishing nails (not shown) or other fastening means, as is known in the art.

First, a technician marks a location for entrance hole 102 on first surface 104 of drywall 112 that is selected to be a good location in conjunction with a location for exit hole 108 on second surface 106 of drywall 114.

In this example, it will be noted that the width of the partition wall is about 3.5 inches wide, therefore an elongated member 12 of about 6 inches long without any extension member 70 is sufficient for producing a through-hole on both surfaces 104 and 106 defining the partition wall.

After suitable hole locations 102 and 108 have been identified and wire 56 is inserted at end 16 and clamped with clamp ring 50, the technician manually grasps elongated member 12 and aligns penetrating point 20 with the mark on first surface 104 corresponding to the selected location for entrance hole 102. Elongated member is manually biased to penetrate drywall 112 and is maintained substantially normal to first surface 104 to properly align with the desired location of exit hole 108. After penetrating point 20 including a portion of elongated member penetrates second surface 106, the technician then goes to the other side of the partition wall corresponding to drywall 114 to pull the remaining portion of elongated member 12 and wire 56 extending therefrom. Wire 56, such as a telecommunications wire, is then able to pass through wall 100 via holes 102 and 108. It will be recognized by one skilled in the pertinent art that although the above discussed partition has been described with reference to a wall, a floor or ceiling partition is also contemplated, including exterior and interior partition walls.

According to the exemplary embodiments of the invention, using a wall piercing apparatus facilitates manual formation of a through-hole in a partition wall while simultaneously threading the wire therethrough. The wall piercing apparatus reduces a risk of damage to elements disposed within the partition wall. The wall piercing apparatus eliminates a separate step of manually threading a wire through a pre-formed through-hole. In addition, timely wire preparation of the prior art method is eliminated.

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all exemplary embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. 

1. An apparatus for creating a through-hole in a building structure comprising: an elongated member defined by a first end and an opposite second end; a penetrating point defining said first end, said penetrating point configured to form the through-hole in the building structure; and a receptacle device defining said second end, said receptacle device configured to releasably retain a wire extending from said second end.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said receptacle device is configured to receive said wire therein and retain said wire when said elongated member is biased to penetrate the building structure and extend through the through-hole and release said wire when exposed on an opposite side of the building structure.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said receptacle includes one of a tapered splayed opening, a plurality of staves, a collet, and a chuck configured to releasably compress an exterior surface defining said wire when said elongated member is manually pushed and manually pulled through the building structure.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said one of said tapered splayed opening, plurality of staves, collet, and chuck is defined with an exterior surface receptive to a slidable clamp ring, said slidable clamp ring configured to compress said second end against said exterior surface defining said wire when sliding said clamp ring.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said one of said tapered splayed opening, plurality of staves, collet, and chuck is defined with an interior surface to frictionally retain said exterior surface defining said wire.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said interior surface includes one of a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of ribs configured to grip said exterior surface defining said wire.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said penetration point is configured to one of pierce and drill a hole through the building structure.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said penetrating point includes threads to threadably engage said elongated member.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elongated member is receptive to accepting an extension member intermediate said first and second ends.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said elongated member includes threads to threadably receive corresponding threads on an extension member intermediate said first and second ends.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said extension includes male threads at one end to threadably receive said penetrating point and female threads at an opposite to receive said receptacle device.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elongated member includes a length of at least about six inches.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said building structure is one of a wall, floor and ceiling.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said building structure is a wall, said wall defined by a pair of opposing spaced apart gypsum boards.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said elongated member is configured to be pushed through said pair of opposing spaced apart gypsum boards from one side defining the wall and pull a remaining portion of the elongated member having said wire extending therefrom from an opposite side defining the wall.
 16. An apparatus for creating a through-hole in a building structure comprising: an elongated member defined by a first end and an opposite second end; a penetrating point defining said first end, said penetrating point configured to form the through-hole in the building structure; and a means for releasably retaining a wire extending from said second end.
 17. A method of forming a through-hole in a building structure to run a wire therethrough, the method comprising: manually biasing an elongated member through the building structure from a first side defining the building structure, said elongated member defined by a first end and an opposite second end, said first end being defined by a penetrating point configured to form the through-hole in the building structure, said second end being defined by a receptacle device releasably retaining the wire extending from said second end; pulling said elongated member from an opposite second side defining the building structure when said penetrating point penetrates said second side; and releasing the wire from said second end.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: configuring said receptacle device to receive the wire therein and retain the wire when said elongated member is biased to penetrate the building structure and extend through the through-hole and release said wire when exposed on an opposite side of the building structure.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein said receptacle is configured with a one of a tapered splayed opening, a plurality of staves, a collet, and a chuck configured to releasably compress an exterior surface defining said wire when said elongated member is manually pushed from said first side and manually pulled from said opposite side through the building structure.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein said one of said tapered splayed opening, plurality of staves, collet, and chuck is defined with an exterior surface receptive to a slidable clamp ring, said slidable clamp ring configured to compress said second end against said exterior surface defining said wire when sliding said clamp ring.
 21. The method of claim 19, further comprising: configuring an interior surface defining said one of said tapered splayed opening, plurality of staves, collet, and chuck with a one of a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of ribs configured to grip said exterior surface defining said wire.
 22. The method of claim 17, further comprising; configuring said penetration point to one of manually pierce and manually drill a hole through the building structure.
 23. The method of claim 17, further comprising: configuring said elongated member to be receptive to accepting an extension member intermediate said first and second ends.
 24. The method of claim 17, wherein said building structure is one of a wall, floor and ceiling.
 25. The method of claim 17, wherein said building structure is a wall, said wall defined by a pair of opposing spaced apart gypsum boards. 